An all-natural, fabulous, moisturizing, pigmented tinted lip conditioner by Scentuals

The best in Canadian green beauty? Check out this fabulous lippie by Canadian green beauty brand Scentuals:

Pictured above: Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in "Passion"

Scentuals is a Canadian all-natural green beauty brand that produces body care and skin products free of harsh, carcinogenic chemicals - and it's always nice to give a shout out to the country I grew up in! Featured today is the Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in the beautiful shade "Passion". It is a gorgeous slightly metallic finish fuchsia color that has pigment and lasting power surprising considering the healthy, synthetic-free ingredients in this lippie! Each ingredient in the Scentuals' lip conditioners has benefits, including the pigment. Check out the list of lip-loving ingredients from the company's website, where they also list the benefits of each ingredient: 

Organic beeswax: provides a protective barrier, locks in moisture

Organic sunflower oil: rich in vitamins A, C, D and E to nourish lips

Organic coconut oil: : prevents destructive free-radical formation to maintain a youthful pout

Organic shea butter: superior moisturizer with healing properties and some UV protection

Organic carnuba wax: provides emollient, moisturizing and skin protectant properties

Vitamin E: natural antioxidant to fight free radical with healing properties

Flavour: natural plant extracts for fun & enjoyment with some healing /antibacterial action

Colour: natural micas for shimmery colour and as a block from harmful UV rays

The ingredients are also 86.5% organic, which is an added bonus to health-conscious consumers. Free of lead, petroleum products and synthetic dyes and fragrances, these yummy-smelling (all from natural plant extracts) lippies are the real deal for green beauty lovers!

Pictured above: Scentuals tinted lip conditioner in "Passion"

Scentuals lip conditioner in "Passion" has a natural citrus scent and flavor and feels delectable on the mouth. Not only does it last a long time, it also leaves the lips so refreshed, smooth and protected.  
Scentuals offers four all-natural lip conditioners, each with a unique color and flavor! Check out the Scentuals website for more information on this awesome Canadian brand and the rest of their amazing natural personal care products!

Be sure to follow this blog for various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post do-it-yourself natural remedy tips, as well as positive reviews and articles about toxin-free products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, helping them choose makeup and skincare that are healthier both outside our bodies and inside! 

Another fantastic toxin-free all-natural lipstick by Honeybee Gardens: South Beach

Check out Honeybee Gardens’ Truly Natural Lipstick in the shade 'South Beach' below:

 

Honeybee Gardens’ Truly Natural Lipstick in 'South Beach'

Coral lipstick shades are a good picker upper for gloomy fall days. And those lipsticks are even better when they are all-natural, like Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks! Vibrant in a subtle way, Honeybee Gardens' lipstick shade in 'South Beach' is reminiscent of flowers and sunshine, so it hydrates the mind and spirit, but also the lips! This lipstick is packed with lip-loving moisturizing all-natural ingredients. With great lasting power, like all of Honeybee Gardens' lipsticks, this is a fantastic gentle coral hue that is not too loud (for those who like more subtle lip colors). 

Here is the ingredients’ list for this vegan, paraben-free and FD&C color-free lipstick:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil *, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter+, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenethyl alcohol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Iron Oxide (CI77491, CI77492, CI77499, CI 45410) (*certified organic ingredients; + certified Fair Trade).

For other lip shades from Honeybee Gardens featured on this blog (as well as other fantastic green beauty brands' lip products), check out the LIPS section of this website. Honeybee Gardens lip colors have definitely been a favorite lipstick brand on this blog!

Honeybee Gardens is a veteran brand in the natural cosmetics industry. They have a huge range of products, from hairspray, to soap, to makeup. Visit Honeybee Gardens’ website for a look at all their offerings. I've always been impressed with whatever I have tried from Honeybee Gardens, and their products are also very affordable. The company also offers samples of many of their products, so customers can try small amounts before committing to buying full-size amounts. That’s always helpful for those who are trying to find the best natural brands for themselves.

Be sure to follow this blog for various natural beauty and healthy lifestyle tips and reviews. This blog is meant to be a helpful tool for people who are looking to switch to natural cosmetics, but who don't know where to start. I post do-it-yourself natural remedy tips, as well as positive reviews and articles about toxin-free products that have worked well for me personally. Hopefully these articles are helpful to my readers, helping them choose makeup and skincare that are healthier both outside our bodies and inside! 

Pixi releases vibrant, convenient, paraben-free multibalms!

Check out Pixi's newly-released  multibalm in 'Soft Strawberry' - a simply gorgeous and vibrant red shade!

Pictured above is Pixi's new multibalm in 'Soft Strawberry'

Pixi's newest release, the multibalm, is a vibrant treat for your lips and cheeks. Available in five varied colors (something for every skin tone!), this is a convenient stick balm that is meant to be dabbed onto the lips and cheeks for a fresh burst of color on your face. 

The formula of this multibalm product is matte,with a powdery feel. It lasts for hours on both lips and cheeks, and provides hydration too, so no need to apply lip balm prior to applying this color to your lips! 

Overall, I'm quite pleased with this multibalm; it's paraben-free and very economical, as are all of Pixi's products. Although there are synthetic ingredients in Pixi's makeup and skincare lines, the brand chooses responsibly, in order to maintain a low price for consumers without resorting to using the worst toxic ingredients! Any synthetic ingredients in Pixi products are either harmless or rank very low on EWG's Skin Deep database. 

For more information on Pixi's awesome multi-balms, check out the Pixi website! Stay tuned to this blog for more articles and reviews on do-it-yourself beauty ideas, green beauty, toxin-free beauty and healthy lifestyle!

Another refreshing facial treat by Hyalogic: Episilk Pure HA Face Serum

Have you tried hyaluronic acid yet? It's one of the latest trends in skin care and is a highly effective moisturizer. Hyalogic is a brand that specializes in formulating products rich in naturally-derived and vegan hyaluronic acid. Check out my review of the green beauty brand's pure hyaluronic acid serum below!

Episilk Pure HA Face Serum by Hyalogic

Have you tried hyaluronic acid yet? It's one of the latest trends in skin care and is a highly effective moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in our bodies, in our joints, ligaments, epidermis and eyes. With age, our bodies' production of hyaluronic acid decreases, and therefore, makes us more susceptible to joint pains, wrinkle formation and other age-related issues. Beauty and health brands have figured out that one way of combating age-related skin and joint issues is by feeding our bodies (and thereby "restocking" them) with hyaluronic acid.

There are plenty of skin creams out there now that boast hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient. But the trick is to find a source of hyaluronic acid that is free of toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Hyalogic, a green beauty and green health brand, makes it simple by offering pure, vegan hyaluronic acid skin care products with minimal ingredients. Episilk Pure HA Face Serum by Hyalogic, featured today, is a hydrating face serum made up of hyaluronic acid and water. That's it! Most green beauty nerds would agree - fewer ingredients is usually better! No need to mess with the perfection of pure, natural ingredients...

Episilk Pure HA Face Serum is light-weight, and is perfect as a moisturizer all on its own in warm summer months, or as a base (prior to thicker creams) in cold, dry weather. The formula pumps out as a gel-like substance that spreads super easily and feels really slippery upon application, but the formula does absorb into the skin rather quickly, without leaving a mess. With just one use, and almost instantly, skin feels velvety smooth. Because this serum spreads with such ease, a small dime-sized amount is all you need to moisturize the whole face. The 1-OZ bottle that this serum is sold in will last a long time!

Hyalogic is a brand that specializes in formulating products rich in naturally-derived and vegan hyaluronic acid. Hyalogic offers a wide array of gluten free, vegan friendly, dye free, fragrance free and cruelty free products - from dietary supplements to topical skin care products.

Want to learn more about Hyalogic? Be sure to check out the Hyalogic website! 

Stay tuned to this blog for more featured products from Hyalogic and for other green beauty articles!

Silk'n FaceFX allows for an at-home anti-aging spa treatment

Check out my review below of the Silk'n FaceFx Anti-Aging LED Handheld Facial Device!!

Silk'n FaceFx Anti-Aging LED Handheld Facial Device

Can I be honest about something? I have never liked going to spas to get facials. I get very concerned with someone else messing with my face, mostly because I have super sensitive skin and have had bad experiences with estheticians aggravating any skin conditions. So, I'm always excited to try a product that allows me to do upon myself what an esthetician at a spa would do upon me. Being able to do it myself gives me the control, and I like to have that when it comes to my skin. 

Silk'n, a personal care device brand, is one of the best rated skincare device manufacturers out there, and the brand offers several innovative hand-held devices for skincare and hair removal purposes. Having been pleasantly surprised with the immediate effectiveness of the Silk'n ReVit device for at-home microdermabrasion (Click here for that review), I have to say that the Silk'n FaceFX LED light device for anti-aging is also a worthy addition to anyone's skincare routine. And since both of these devices are effective without the use of chemicals, they are a wonderful option for maintaining beautiful skin while staying true to green beauty principles!

I have been fascinated by the effectiveness of LED light technology on the skin ever since I was introduced to it by a friend who owned one of the huge spa red LED light machines. Now, these large machines are expensive and it's no wonder you pay an arm and a leg to have these LED light treatments done at a spa. Silk'n has simplified that for us by offering a mini LED light machine, the hand-held FaceFX, which retails for $149. That price is a fraction of what you would pay at a spa to have a LED light treatment administered enough times to see a difference in your skin. And a difference you will see. When used correctly, as per the instructions that arrive along with your device, fine lines are reduced and skin's texture improves, oftentimes dramatically. Anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and who has skin discoloration and/or acne scars should try this little device. After a few weeks of use, this little device does wonders with the skin's texture and appearance!

To find out more about Silk’n FaceFX and other Silk’n products, check out the Silk’n website. Follow this blog for articles and reviews on green beauty and natural personal care solutions!

From an organic farm straight to your skin – it doesn’t get any more natural than Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care

Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care is the only company in the world to create 100% natural, organic skin care products straight out of their own USDA-certified organic farm. That’s right – they grow their own ingredients on an organic farm! Check out my review of Lily's “Balancing” skin system for normal/oily skin below!

Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care “Balancing” organic skin system for normal / oily skin

Every so often I’m simply stunned by a particular product that I feature on this blog. My idea of a perfect skincare routine is to use things that are in your fridge or in your kitchen. I believe in pampering the skin with ingredients that you can eat, and that come straight from Mother Nature. So, I was ecstatic to come across the green beauty brand Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care. This brand is the only company in the world to create 100% natural, organic skin care products straight out of their own USDA-certified organic farm. That’s right – they grow their own ingredients on an organic farm! Just thought that deserved repetition...

Located in Colorado, Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care is a local and environmentally sustainable company Americans can feel proud about supporting – and, not to mention, your skin will thank you too! The company uses zero synthetic chemicals in their products, and the effectiveness of Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care products is apparent very quickly after the first use. I personally have been using the brand’s 'Balancing' skin system for normal / oily skin. Lily Farm Fresh offers three product lines (cleanser, toner, serum and lotions) for different skin types, including for normal/oily skin, sensitive skin and aging/dry skin. Lily Farm Fresh also offers three other products for all skin types, including a lip balm, facial enzyme mask and a moisture mist.

Lily Farm Fresh 'Balancing' skin system for normal / oily skin is an amazing, refreshing skin remedy. The 'Balancing' system includes a refreshing cleanser, a soothing toner, a balancing serum and a nourishing facial lotion. These products are filled with ingredients like chamomile, feverfew, comfrey and aloe vera (just to name a few) working to both sooth and moisturize the skin. The formulas are all super light and quickly absorbent, yet extremely nourishing, leaving the skin fresh, soft and clean. 

The 'Balancing' system is a wonderful remedy for recurring breakouts and for controlling sensitive combination skin. The best part about these products is that a little bit goes a long way; for each cleansing, toning and moisturizing application, a dime-sized amount of product is really all you need to wreak all the benefits of the awesome, healthy ingredients in each product. And all these products smell like fresh herbs - because they are literally made from organic whole-plant compounds! You just can't get any more natural or toxin-safe than that!

To find out more about Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care, about the all-natural ingredients in Lily’s products, and about this green beauty brand’s revolutionary practices, be sure check out the Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care website. Stay tuned to this blog for more reviews on Lily Farm Fresh Skin Care products and products by other amazing green beauty brands.

This blog is all about raising awareness for healthier cosmetics and personal care products. People should be aware of what they are putting on their bodies, since the personal care product industry lacks regulations. Better regulations could eliminate toxic and known carcinogenic ingredients from being present in the products we put all over our bodies; but, since those regulations don’t exist, it’s up to each individual to do their research about what toxins lurk in their makeup, skincare and personal care products.

Match your nails to blooming violets with 'Bold' nail color by SpaRitual

Yet another gorgeous new Flexible Nail Color from SpaRitual! This gorgeous pinky-violet nail polish is called ‘Bold’, and it’s part of SpaRitual’s 2016 GOLD Summer Collection Empower. Check out the full review below:

Below is a photo of 'Bold' nail color with a blue light filter applied to it, showing what the actual nail color looks like in reality. In natural daylight (as seen above), the color photographs more pink than it actually is!

SpaRitual 5-free Nail Lacquer in 'Bold': gorgeous pinky-violet shade of nail polish free of DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin.

Today’s feature is yet another gorgeous new Flexible Nail Color from SpaRitual! This gorgeous pinky-violet nail polish is called ‘Bold’, and it’s part of SpaRitual’s 2016 GOLD Summer CollectionEmpower. Not only is this a lovely, unique nail color, but it’s also easy to apply and long-lasting. ‘Bold’ definitely falls into the purple color spectrum, but because it has pink undertones, in natural daylight it photographs more pink than it actually is. In the second photo above, with a blue light filter applied on the photo, the color is more accurate (so imagine that amazing color on the nails without the blue light on the skin and surroundings!).

‘Bold’ is one of four brand new nail colors from SpaRitual, all of which are part of the brand’s all-new Flexible Color line. The new formulation promises easy application, anti-smudge technology, and long life when used along with the SpaRitual Flexible Top Coat. All SpaRitual nail polishes are free of DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin – the most toxic ingredients found in many popular brand name nail polishes. For this reason, SpaRitual is a favorite brand for natural and holistic spas and nail salons around the country and abroad.

Check out the recommended links below for more reviews of various shades of SpaRitual nail polishes, and stay tuned to this blog for more reviews and articles on other fantastic products from SpaRitual and other green beauty brands! The aim of this blog is to provide information and reviews about natural beauty products and remedies to green beauty lovers and those who want to switch to more natural skincare and makeup options.

Silk'n ReVit device for microdermabrasion treatments at home: first impressions

Check out my review of Silk'n ReVit! It's a revolutionary device for microdermabrasion treatments at home using non-abrasive diamond exfoliation with vacuum stimulation technology!

Silk'n ReVit for microdermabrasion treatments at home: non-abrasive diamond exfoliation with vacuum stimulation technology

Microdermabrasion is a revolutionary skincare treatment that’s all the hype at spas for its aid in reducing the appearance of acne scars, fine lines and sun damage. It’s also a non-invasive, non-chemical treatment that allows your skin’s natural beauty to shine!

Silk’n – a brand well known for creating convenient at-home personal care devices – offers a hand-held device, called “ReVit”, for at-home microdermabrasion treatments. Since these sorts of skincare treatments can be quite pricey at spas, I was super excited to try this device to see how effective it really is, and how honest the public’s reviews are (just as a note, the Silk’n ReVit is consistently highly rated in reviews!). I was a regular user of a Silk’n epilator years ago, so I’ve been curious as to the effectiveness of the brand’s other innovations!

So what is microdermabrasion? It’s basically a super exfoliation of the skin, using micro-crystals or diamond tips. At most spas, estheticians will use a spray of micro-crystals to remove the outer layer of dry or dead skin cells from the face to reveal newer, healthier-looking skin beneath. Removing the layer of dead skin cells, along with using a suction along the skin, brings new skin to the surface while encouraging blood flow to the edge of the epidermis. This helps to build collagen over time, thus reducing fine lines and healing discoloration.

Silk’n ReVit is an at-home system so you can give your skin the pampering it deserves without spending the big bucks. The ReVit device only costs $100, whereas most one-time visits to a spa cost more than that! And judging by the positive reviews, it seems like a great product to try.

So, what are my thoughts after only one use? First off, having never had a microdermabrasion treatment, I’m quite impressed with how fresh and glowing the skin appears after only one use. And using the suction diamond tip really feels like a nice facial massage – a massage that gives you a good exfoliation to boot! I’ll be interested to see how my skin’s texture appears after a couple weeks of use, after which I may post a follow-up article. I’m especially curious to see if a couple of discolored areas can be improved and if any occasional breakouts can be diminished with regular ReVit use!

To find out more about Silk’n ReVit and other Silk’n products, check out the Silk’n website. Stay tuned for a follow up to this article in several weeks! Follow this blog for articles and reviews on green beauty and natural personal care solutions!

Get ready for some bright and happy summer nails with SpaRitual's 'Balanced'

Introducing one of the happiest and brightest nail polish colors ever! Pictured is the gorgeous new Flexible Nail Color from SpaRitual, called ‘Balanced’, from SpaRitual’s 2016 GOLD Summer collection Empower. Check out the full review below!

Avert your eyes if you don't like happy things! SpaRitual's new 5-free Flexible Nail Color in 'Balanced' could very well be the happiest nail polish color ever! From SpaRitual's Summer 2016 GOLD collection 'Empower'.

Today I am introducing you to one of the happiest and brightest nail polish colors ever! Pictured above is the gorgeous new Flexible Nail Color from SpaRitual, called ‘Balanced’, from SpaRitual’s 2016 GOLD Summer Collection Empower. Well, I would have called this nail polish by the collection’s name, “Empower”, since it’s such a bold and energetic color. I honestly feel revived and awakened just looking at this amazing color on my nails!

‘Balanced’ is one of four brand new nail colors from SpaRitual, all of which are part of the brand’s all-new Flexible Color line. The new formulation promises easy application, anti-smudge technology, and long life when used along with the SpaRitual Flexible Top Coat. This really is an easy nail polish to apply, and has an almost gel-like texture when first applied. The top coat creates a fantastic high shine finish.

SpaRitual is a green beauty brand committed to creating responsibly sourced and effective nail and body care products. All SpaRitual nail polishes are free of DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin – the most toxic ingredients found in many popular brand name nail polishes. For this reason, SpaRitual is a favorite brand for natural and holistic spas and nail salons around the country and abroad.

Check out recent posts on this blog for more reviews of various shades of SpaRitual nail polishes, and stay tuned to this blog for more reviews and articles on other fantastic green beauty brands! The aim of this blog is to provide information and reviews about natural beauty products and remedies to green beauty lovers and those who want to switch to more natural skincare and makeup options.

SpaRitual's new nail color turns on the bling via gorgeous yellow gold nails

SpaRitual 5-free Nail Lacquer in 'Optimist': Free of DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin. Check out the full review below!

SpaRitual 5-free Nail Lacquer in 'Optimist': Free of DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin.

Sometimes a good alternative to rings on your fingers are sparkly golden nails! If you want to create major bling on your fingertips, check out SpaRitual’s nail polish, as pictured above. Today’s feature is SpaRitual’s 5-free Nail Lacquer in 'Optimist', from SpaRitual’s 2016 GOLD Summer Collection Empower.

The 2016 GOLD Summer Collection Empower consists of four brand new nail colors from SpaRitual, all of which are sure to brighten even the sunniest of summers! ‘Optimist’ is a shimmery yellow gold nail color that is simply gorgeous, with fine sparkles and a sensual, uplifting yellow gold tone. This particular nail polish is part of SpaRitual’s new ‘Flexible Color’ line, which promises easy application, anti-smudge technology, and long life when used along with the SpaRitual Flexible Top Coat.

Formulated without DBP, toluene, camphor, parabens, formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin, SpaRitual nail polish is a favorite nail polish brand for natural and holistic spas and nail salons around the country and abroad. All SpaRitual products, including the green beauty brand’s skincare offerings, are vegan, Fair Trade and responsibly sourced.

Check out the Body Products page of this blog for more reviews (and photos!!) of various shades of SpaRitual nail polishes. Stay tuned to this blog for more reviews and articles on other fantastic products from SpaRitual and other green beauty brands! The aim of this blog is to provide information and reviews about natural beauty products and remedies to green beauty lovers and those who want to switch to more natural skincare and makeup options.

Get or give a delectable massage with Soothing Touch Bath, Body and Massage Oil

Check out a review below of Soothing Touch Ayurveda Lavender Bath, Body and Massage Oil. Not only is this oil paraben free, non-GMO, made in the USA, cruelty free and 100% natural, but it’s also USDA organic! 

Soothing Touch Ayurveda Lavender Bath, Body and Massage Oil

Soothing Touch is a wonderful green beauty brand that produces natural body care products filled with high quality soothing and nourishing ingredients that help to keep our bodies healthy both on the outside and on the inside. Soothing Touch has quickly become a favorite featured brand of this green beauty column, because of the quality, safe ingredients, and effectiveness of the brand’s products!

Today’s feature is Soothing Touch Ayurveda Lavender Bath, Body and Massage Oil. If you’ve got someone on your list who needs a fantastic massage – or – you want a delectable massage for yourself – this is a must-try all-natural massage oil! Not only is this oil paraben free, non-GMO, made in the USA, cruelty free and 100% natural, but it’s also USDA organic! 

Filled with a long list of nourishing natural oils, including the highly-prized argan and seabuckthorn oils, this body and massage oil is also scented with the freshest and purest lavender aroma you will find – for a truly calming and relaxing experience! This stuff glides on evenly and easily, for a velvety massage feel, as opposed to something overly greasy. It’s simply the perfect massage oil, that also leaves skin soft and nourished. With the added uses as a body moisturizer and a bath oil, this is a wonderful gift for anyone who loves an occasional pampering! And for anyone who wants a fantastic massage oil without any scent to it, Soothing Touch also offers a fractionated coconut oil unscented version.

Since the brand was founded by an actual Yogi, the folks at Soothing Touch follow Ayurveda principles in the formulation of their products, meaning that they strive to achieve absolute balance in each product’s ingredients. If one ingredient is meant to clarify the skin, for example, another ingredient will also be present to nourish the skin as well! 

Find out more about Soothing Touch by visiting the Soothing Touch website. Stay tuned to this blog for more features on this amazing green beauty brand and other natural skincare and makeup products that are healthier and less toxic choices for you and the environment!

Sexy pink nails: SpaRitual releases new ‘Flexible Color’ for Summer 2016

Check out SpaRitual 5-free Flexible Color nail polish in 'Fearless' - part of SpaRitual's 2016 GOLD Summer Collection 'Empower'. Check out the full review below:

SpaRitual Flexible Color nail polish in 'Fearless': part of SpaRitual's 2016 GOLD Summer Collection 'Empower'

With flower trees and meadows in full bloom, we’re all inspired at this time of year to paint our nails in bright flower-inspired shades! SpaRitual’s new 2016 GOLD Summer Collection Empowernail color collection features four new summer-inspired shades, all formulated using SpaRitual’s new self-leveling and anti-smudge technology, via the brand’s ‘Flexible Color’ nail lacquer line. These nail colors are all 5-free, per SpaRitual’s green beauty principles. Pictured above is one of SpaRitual’s new Flexible Colors in the shade ‘Fearless’.

‘Fearless’ is a gorgeous and bright sparkly pink color, that gives off a slight holographic effect because of the gold and green interference of the sparkles. This new ‘Flexible’ formula truly is easy to apply. The self-leveling technology allows for easy and quick application from one coat to the next. SpaRitual also released a special ‘Flexible’ Top Coat that, when applied on top of two coats of color, protects your nail job from chips and doubles its life.

Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming features on the other three nail colors of SpaRitual’s Summer 2016 collection. Check out the SpaRitual website for more information on this fantastic green beauty brand. SpaRitual is a favorite brand among holistic and green beauty spas and nail salons around the country and abroad.

Bikini Velvet: A fantastic natural product alternative to shaving cream

A new green beauty brand, Bikini Velvet, has created an effective shaving product made with none other than a combination of all-natural oils! Check out the review below:

Bikini Velvet: A fantastic natural product alternative to shaving cream

People have been advocating for coconut oil as a natural shaving cream substitute for years! So, it's no surprise that a new green beauty brand, Bikini Velvet, has created an effective shaving product made with none other than a combination of all-natural oils! Free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates, artificial preservatives, silicone, solvents, surfactants and animal cruelty, the American-made Bikini Velvet is a wonderful combination of nourishing oils and anti-bacterial oils. The ingredients work in harmony to give you a clean, close and irritation-free shave on legs, underarms and, as the brand likes to call, “down there”.

The Bikini Velvet product comes with a custom tray on which you can place your razor, pour a small amount of product, and soak your razor so that the product penetrates between each blade. Once you prep your skin for shaving, all you have to do is give your razor a gentle shake to remove excess oils, and begin shaving. The oil that has penetrated between the blades of your razor works as an instant shaving cream substitute and allows for a closer shave as well. The tea tree oil and natural vitamin E in the ingredients work to prevent irritation because of the oils’ natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. And what’s more – for especially sensitive areas, this product can be applied between shaves to continue working as an anti-inflammatory agent, especially on skin which is prone to ingrown hairs. For days after shaving, skin is nourished and smooth, which can only be expected from a combination of olive oil, aloe vera, wheat germ oil, tea tree oil and vitamin E, which are the components of Bikini Velvet.

Bikini Velvet is a great product to try for anyone who is prone to irritation after shaving and for any green beauty fanatic! For more information on this all-natural shaving product, visit BikiniVelvet.com.

Boost your body's hyaluronic acid levels via Hyalogic's chewable lozenge

Check out my review of  Hyalogic's Hyaluronic Acid chewable lozenge below!

Hyalogic's Hyaluronic Acid chewable lozenge supplement: A convenient way to build your body's collagen and hyaluronic acid levels

The secret’s out about the benefits of hyaluronic acid – it’s become the anti-aging skincare ingredient of the moment! But hyaluronic acid, when taken as a dietary supplement, is also extremely effective at healing joint pain and at working from within to give you healthier hair, skin, eyes and nails. Featured today is Hyalogic’s chewable hyaluronic acid supplement, which allows us to conveniently ingest the benefits of hyaluronic acid through a yummy lozenge.

Hyalogic’s “Hair, Skin & Nails” HA Collagen Builder Chewable Lozenge is packed with naturally-derived hyaluronic acid, biotin and silica – all skin-nourishing nutrients. Free of artificial ingredients and gluten, Hyalogic’s vegan-friendly lozenges are healthy and free of un-necessary chemicals. This lozenge is also quite delicious, with a natural berry flavor.

As we age our body’s natural retention of hyaluronic acid decreases, leading to the formation of wrinkles and a higher susceptibility to joint pain. By ingesting hyaluronic acid, we can help replenish the hyaluronic acid in our bodies, delaying the effects of aging and oftentimes curing joint pain issues altogether. Find out more about Hyalogic’s hyaluronic acid lozenges by visiting the Hyalogic website.

Hyalogic is a green beauty and green health brand that formulates products rich in naturally-derived and vegan hyaluronic acid. Hyalogic offers a wide array of gluten free, vegan friendly, dye free, fragrance free and cruelty free products - from dietary supplements to topical skin care products.

Two fantastic light-weight facial moisturizers from Pixi's Skintreats line

Two fantastic light-weight facial moisturizers from Pixi's Skintreats line: Check out Glowtion Day Dew and H20 Skindrink, both paraben-free and skin-boosting! See the review below:

Two fantastic light-weight facial moisturizers from Pixi's Skintreats line: Check out Glowtion Day Dew and H20 Skindrink, both paraben free and skin-boosting!

With Spring in full bloom and Summer quickly approaching, many of us like to stick to a light-weight and quickly-absorbing facial moisturizer, since super thick creams in warm weather tend to be over-kill and too heavy. Lucky for us, Pixi has a wonderful array of choices for a light face lotion, and featured today are two of those choices: the Glowtion Day Dew and the H20 Skindrink. Both of these paraben free light-weight face lotions are perfect for warmer weather, and both sink into the skin leaving the face velvety soft and with a visible boost in appearance.

Pixi’s Glowtion Day Dew is a brightening lotion that is full of tiny sparkles, which give the skin a fantastic illuminated appearance. For this reason, it’s also a fantastic lotion to apply lightly to the arms, shoulders and décolleté region, for added luminosity! Very lightly scented, this lotion gives skin a nourishing boost, beyond the visible sparkles!

Pixi’s H20 Skindrink is a hydrating gel that’s perfect to apply under makeup as a base, and is also perfect whenever your skin needs a cooling and refreshing picker-upper. The gel absorbs quickly and leaves a lovely velvety feel on the skin’s surface. Also lightly scented, this lotion comes in a convenient thin tube, which is perfect for travel and for sticking in your purse (Glowtion Day Dew also comes in the same convenient tube!).

Check out all the Pixi Skintreats skin care products, for a great set of paraben free choices for your spring, summer and all-year skin care needs!

A remarkably nourishing and light-weight body lotion by Hyalogic

Check out a review of Hyalogic Episilk Hand & Body Lotion - toxin-free and wonderfully effective! See below for more on this fantastic body lotion:

Hyalogic Episilk Hand & Body Lotion

Hyalogic, an American green skincare and supplement brand, offers a wonderful series of skincare products through their Episilk line of products, all of which contain the brand’s naturally-sourced hyaluronic acid. The folks at Hyalogic source their hyaluronic acid from extracellular protein during a natural fermentation process, as opposed to using an animal source, so Hyalogic products are vegan-friendly.

Hyalogic’s Episilk Hand & Body Lotion is a remarkably nourishing lotion that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it silky to the touch. The texture of this lotion seems a bit thick for the first few seconds or so, but then seemingly magically disappears into the skin, leaving velvety results, but a lightweight feel. The most impressive thing about this lotion is its ability to reduce redness overnight – such as red bumps on the legs due to shaving or waxing. This result is undoubtedly due to the nourishing ingredients in the lotion – all clinically proven to nourish skin – including: hyaluronic acid, shea butter, jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E, avocado oil and aloe vera leaf juice. But this lotion is also free of the worst sorts of toxic chemical additives that can sometimes aggravate sensitive skin’s irritations. Hyalogic’s body lotion is dye free, paraben free, cruelty free and fragrance free.

Find out more about Hyalogic’s skincare and supplement products by visiting the Hyalogic website, and stay tuned to this blog for more upcoming features on Hyalogic’s various offerings and other green beauty tips and reviews! Go green and stay green!

Natural oil qualities to consider when choosing a facial oil

Grooming your skin with natural carrier oils can be a very beneficial skincare regiment – it’s a healthy and less costly alternative to many popular, brand-name skin creams. Natural oils, extracted from nature’s most nutritious nuts, seeds and plant fibers, often contain many more benefits to our skin’s health and vibrancy than some of the most expensive factory-produced, processed and synthetic skin creams. Check out the full article below:

Grooming your skin with natural carrier oils can be a very beneficial skincare regiment – it’s a healthy and less costly alternative to many popular, brand-name skin creams. Natural oils, extracted from nature’s most nutritious nuts, seeds and plant fibers, often contain many more benefits to our skin’s health and vibrancy than some of the most expensive factory-produced, processed and synthetic skin creams. But choosing the right facial can be very confusing, and often people decide against using pure oils to moisturize their skin, after one acne breakout or sensitive skin reaction – when perhaps they were not using the right oil for their skin type in the first place. Just because many people adore coconut oil or sweet almond oil, for instance, it does not mean that coconut oil or sweet almond oil is right everyone’s facial skin. Facial skin is also a lot more porous, contains more sebaceous glands and is thinner than body skin. Thus, facial skin is more prone to acne breakouts, which is a way for our body to release toxins and bacteria. For those who are prone to acne breakouts, carrier oils that are higher in linoleic acids (versus oleic acids) are the safer choice.

Here are a few qualities to consider when choosing a natural facial oil:

COMEDOGENIC RATING OF THE NATURAL OIL

Natural oils have a comedogenic rating (a rating describing how likely a substance is to clog your pores) from 1 to 5. Oils that have a rating of 0, for example, will not clog your pores. Those oils with a rating of 5, on the other hand, will clog your pores. People with dry skin have smaller pores than people with oily skin. The larger your pores are (oily skin types), the more likely you are to get clogged pores and develop pimples; therefore, the comedogenic rating of your facial oil is extremely important. Those with sensitive, acne-prone skin should not use oils with a comedogenic rating higher than 2. The best comedogenic rating option for very acne-prone skin would be 0 or 1 (such as maracuja oi or castor oil). For those with extremely dry, thirsty skin, some of the more comedonegic oils (such as coconut oil) work wonderfully because small pores are less likely to clog. For combination skin, that also need some extra moisturization, oils like argan oil, sweet almond oil and avocado oil are usually a fantastic choice (those three oils mentioned all have a comedogenic rating of 2). Here is a great article with a chart showing comedogeic ratings for popular natural oil choices:

http://illumineat.wordpress.com/2011/06/11/comedogenic-and-non-comedogen...

LINOLEIC VS OLEIC COMPOSITION OF THE NATURAL OIL

Once you have determined an oil’s comedogenic rating, it’s vital to know the linoleic acid and oleic acid chemical composition of the natural oil. Linoleic and oleic acids are fatty acids naturally present in carrier oils. They are both healthy for the skin, but the trick with finding the right oil for your skin is to be aware of the ratio of linoleic to oleic acids. For those with acne-prone skin, for example, a higher ratio of oleic acid can trigger major breakouts. Oils suitable for acne-prone skin are maracuja oil, hemp seed oil, red raspberry seed oil and watermelon seed oil. For dry skin, oils higher in oleic acid content are usually the better choice, and some of those oils are avocado oil, sweet almond oil and olive oil. If your skin falls somewhere in between or is a combination skin type, oils with a more even ratio of linoleic to oleic acids should be experimented with. Some of those oils with a balanced ratio of oleic and linoleic acids are kukui nut oil, argan oil and jojoba oil. Here is an article with a little more information about fatty acids in your facial oil:

http://www.xovain.com/skin/fatty-acids-in-face-oil

SHELF LIFE AND STABILITY OF THE NATURAL OIL

Some oils are very sensitive to light and changes in temperature, so it may be a good idea to choose an oil that is less finicky, for those of us who don’t feel like remembering to put our facial oil into the fridge. Oils such as hemp seed oil and kukui nut oil can go rancid quickly, and are better kept in the fridge. If you don’t have the patience for that, choose an oil that has a long shelf life and that is relatively stable. There are many oils that will keep for at least a year on the bathroom shelf as long as they are kept in dark, glass bottles. Maracuja oil and argan oil are safe bets as stable oils with a good shelf life. A wonderful company and website to check out, where you can even purchase affordable sample sizes of carrier oils just to give them a try, is Garden of Wisdom. They specify shelf life and other carrier oil use information on their website. Check them out here:

http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/carrieroils.html